Even though this denunciation is like beating a dead horse, I am giving the reasons that convinced me that George W. Bush has been our most damaging President in a century. Maybe at least our country will be able to learn from his mistakes.

Our cause is just, the security of the nations we serve and the peace of the world. And our mission is clear, to disarm Iraq of weapons of mass destruction, to end Saddam Hussein’s support for terrorism, and to free the Iraqi people.

President Bush promised that he possessed classified information that confirmed these threats, including a nuclear threat. In his State of the Union address, he said:

The British government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa. Our intelligence sources tell us that he has attempted to purchase high-strength aluminum tubes suitable for nuclear weapons production.

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Evidence from intelligence sources, secret communications, and statements by people now in custody reveal that Saddam Hussein aids and protects terrorists, including members of al Qaeda.

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Secretary of State Powell will present information and intelligence about Iraqi’s legal — Iraq’s illegal weapons programs, its attempt to hide those weapons from inspectors, and its links to terrorist groups.

Even though there are other failures that this administration will be remembered for, I will forgo writing a laundry list of Bush’s sins. There are only four issues that I think are necessary to distinguish him from any other unsavory politician. The theme of this list is encroaching executive power.

Invading a country under false pretenses,

Attacking habeas corpus,

Unchecked domestic spying, and

Defying Supreme Court orders and acts of Congress

These offenses are already notable enough that they have smeared the nation’s honorable reputation. We will be repenting of the Bush administration’s actions long after he has moved along.